Got Leadership?

Given our economic crisis and fingers of blame pointing at CEOs and other executives for their failure to provide leadership, there’s a continuing reevaluation of what it means to be a leader. We all have our definitions, but I’ll bet we could agree on the top five qualities. Whether we agree or not, it’s worth a serious discussion.

A recent interview of Clarence Otis, Jr., CEO of Darden Restaurants, in the New York Times provides an excellent starting point. While you should read the entire interview, here’s some of Otis’ key points on leadership:

– The most important leadership lesson he ever learned is to think about others first and to think last about “what does this mean for me?”

– During the time he’s been a leader, he’s realized it’s less about getting the work done and more about building a capable team and letting them get the work done.

– He hires people who are passionate because they are excited and full of energy and want to make a contribution and people who’re comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty because they are comfortable with diversity.

– Over the years, he’s learned to do less word-smithing and managing the work product and more reflecting.

– If you want to be a successful leader in your career, it’s not about career planning; it’s about preparation and building skills.

Words to the wise.

1. 

   E. says:

   June 11, 2009 at 7:19 pm

   Thanks a lot for this John. He is wise. E.